(May 13, 2017) We are sad to inform SoulTrackers of the death of Pierre DeMudd, the extremely talented trumpeter and vocalist of The Dazz Band during the group's glory days.
The Ohio funk band, originally called Kinsman Dazz, signed with Motown in 1980 with a lineup consisting of leader Bobby Harris, Mike Calhoun, Michael Wiley and his brother Isaac Wiley, singer/trumpeter Skip Martin, Eric Fearman, Ken Pettus, Kevin Frederick and Pierre DeMudd, shortened its name to The Dazz Band and signed with Motown Records.
(May 13, 2017) We are sad to inform SoulTrackers of the death of Pierre DeMudd, the extremely talented trumpeter and vocalist of The Dazz Band during the group's glory days.
The Ohio funk band, originally called Kinsman Dazz, signed with Motown in 1980 with a lineup consisting of leader Bobby Harris, Mike Calhoun, Michael Wiley and his brother Isaac Wiley, singer/trumpeter Skip Martin, Eric Fearman, Ken Pettus, Kevin Frederick and Pierre DeMudd, shortened its name to The Dazz Band and signed with Motown Records.
The Dazz Band's first two Motown albums didn't do much better than their earlier releases, hitting the middle of the R&B charts. But that all changed with 1982's Keep It Live, a funkier, club friendly album that included the uber-infectious dance hit "Let It Whip." That single instantly turned the group into stars, topping the R&B and Dance charts and winning for The Dazz Band a Grammy for Best R&B Performance. It also began a half decade of chart strength, mostly consisting of upbeat hits that followed the template of "Let It Whip." "Joystick," "On the One for Fun" and "Let It All Blow" all hit the top ten and the accompanying albums were equally successful.
By 1986 the group's sound began to sound predictable and lose its appeal. Despite switching from Motown to to Geffen and then to RCA, as well as attempting to move to more of a rock feel in their music, the Dazz Band never again achieved the level of success they hit during the peak years of 1982-85.
DeMudd left the band in 1988, but continued to play locally and around the US in various sets. But he will forever be remembered for his role in one of the funkiest -- and most fun -- bands to come out of the rich musical haven of Ohio. Rest in peace.